Power play's progress encouraging to Hawks

The Blackhawks accomplished what they wanted to in Friday's exhibition win over Pittsburgh, particularly when it came to the power play.

The Hawks went 2-for-4, with the first unit getting both goals from Tomas Kopecky and Patrick Kane.

Patrick Sharp looked comfortable at the right point opposite Duncan Keith on the first unit with Kane and Jonathan Toews down low and Kopecky in front of the net. Kopecky's goal came when Sharp's slap shot from inside the right point went in off him.

"It's important to get shots through to the net," Sharp said of his role as point man. "It was nice to put a couple in, but I think we still have some room for improvement. There was a lot of nice puck movement out there.

"We've got some guys on both units who want the puck and are capable of putting it in the net."

The second unit includes Marian Hossa, Dave Bolland, Troy Brouwer and Brent Seabrook. The injury to Brian Campbell takes him out of the mix for the next four or five weeks.

"The personnel that we have on (the power play), we should be better," coach Joel Quenneville said. "That's a point of emphasis going into the season because it can really ignite our offense."

The Hawks ranked next to last on the power play at home in 2009-10.

First impressions: Backup goalie Corey Crawford was sharp in Friday's 5-2 win over Pittsburgh with 26 saves - 23 of them coming in the first two periods.

Crawford wanted to play well in his only appearance at home in the preseason.

"It was another game where you can get a good feeling and I got that," Crawford said. "I was a little nervous about starting here, but I think it went well. The crowd here is so much fun when you're playing well."

Hanging in there: Jassen Cullimore, the 38-year-old veteran defenseman, has made it to the final round of cuts with just 24 healthy players left in camp.

It's possible Cullimore could stick through Thursday's opener at Colorado with Brian Campbell injured and Nick Boynton serving a one-game suspension to start the season.

This is Cullimore's second tour of duty with the Hawks.

"He's had a good camp," Joel Quenneville said. "Organizationally, that depth on the back end is something you're going to need over the course of the year.

"He wants to get back to this level and show he can play. He made strides over the summer working at his game and conditioning and looks quicker."

Tip-ins: Goalie Hannu Toivonen cleared waivers and was assigned to Rockford on Saturday- Marty Turco starts in goal Sunday night against the Blues in the preseason finale at the United Center and will play the full game- Marian Hossa has 3 goals and 1 assist in just two preseason appearances.